BONCHE GASTROBAR

Do you have that local spot that's just perfect for your posse? The drinks aren't too expensive, they play the music you like, there's big screens when you want to watch the games, there's something on the food menu that seems made for your mood right now, and everyone seems to be happy to be there. You are just as welcome if you are wearing your college-sweats as when you've glammed up for a night out. It's easy. It's unpretentious. It's your jam (oooeeee!) but in bar form.So now let us introduce you the Cartagena version. Bonche Gastrobar.

Bonche was formed when two friends, Veronica (with years of Bar and Spirits sales experience) and José (with years of drinking experience), lamenting the absence of afordable, unpretentious drinking/eating options in Cartagena, decided to put their money where the bars weren't and create a spot for their bunch (bonche in it's anglicism) of friends. Yup.. bonches, parches, bololó .. there's plenty of local slang for what happens when amigos, parceros, vales, llaves, compas, pris and friends get together. And this is a local bar that aims to be the perfect place for groups of friends (big, small, old and new) to join and enjoy each other's company in the best way possible.

That means drinks, food, music in a cool-vibed, casual space.

First off, the cocktails are really good. They are creative, colourful, tasty and, especially if you are paying with foreign currency conversion, pretty cheap. They make a really interesting cocktail from a house-made pineapple liquor and tequila (Papi José) which packs some serious punch. Speaking of punch, White Sangria for sundown? Si señor! The Gin Pa Ti has fresh watermelon juice and is tropical awesomeness. And if you stick to basic margaritas and mojitos, it will be a very happy hour for both you and your wallet.

So now you're boozed, is there anything better than some proper dude-food to soak it all up? How about burgers with angus beef, cheese-stuffed patties wrapped in bacon? Or chicken wings marinated in a Jack Daniels BBQ sauce? Dude. There's also ceviche if you're feeling like behaving, or a really interesting ripe plantain lasagna if you're feeling adventurous.

So you're buzzing along with your full belly and slightly tingly head and now you're taking in your surrounds. If you're inside there's some great local Champeta or tropical music playing or maybe a band, there's funky chequered floors and musos on the walls. If you're outside there's local plaza vibes with neighbours hanging out or gossiping on their way home, kids playing, and a golden amber glow that lights the Carmona statues charmingly. It's much less chaotic than the nearby plaza Trinidad, but just as enchanting.

Bonche is still relatively new.. so some nights can be more low-key than others.. but with all the ingredients in place to make this the ideal local hang.. that won't be the case for long.

​So form your parche, or join someone else's and settle in for a bunch of fun, food, booze and friends at Bonche.